I completed my Master's in Counseling Psychology at California Baptist University in 2012. When my husband and I moved to Reno/Sparks area in 2016, I began working at the Children's Cabinet in a focused work with at-risk youth and children with social and familial struggles, neurological disorders, as well as behavioral and mood disorders. For a period of time, I counseled couples and individuals in premarital counseling and relational issues at a local church as a way to give back to the community I live in. I was fortunate enough to have the opportnity to build a wonderful work foundation through two years at Legacy Behavioral Health & Wellness and now I am excited to be in private practice. I work with a licensed and certified therapy dog, named RJ, who is sure to make everyone smile. If you're allergic to dogs, please let me know!
Vision
The motivation and drive behind my practice is to be a resource for families and couples looking to deepen their relationships, manage conflicts, learn healthy communication, and address troublesome habits.
My goal is to create an environment of safety that allows for common marital and familial difficulties, behavioral challenges and struggles to be explored and challenged in a way that initiates growth and insight. Throughout sessions, individuals and couples will have the opportunity to resolve root issues and develop new patterns of interaction.
Beliefs
My approach to couples and family therapy relies heavily on Structural Family Therapy which is a systems-based approach. I believe that conflicts typically stem from patterns of dysfunction within the relational system. The focus of treatment is on changing patterns within the relationship, rather than focusing on one individual family member's behavior.
When working with individuals, my therapeutic approach revolves around Mindfulness techniques used for self-evaluation and insight. I believe that the tension felt in relationships is rooted in the struggle to identify, accept, and express our true selves. Through mindful exploration, growth and acceptance is possible.